Departing council members finish business before new council takes over

Departing council members have a few pieces of unfinished business at Tuesday’s Carthage City Council meeting before turning the reins over to members elected on April 3.

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By John Hacker

The Carthage Press

By John Hacker

Posted Apr. 10, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jul 24, 2012 at 6:00 PM

By John Hacker

Posted Apr. 10, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jul 24, 2012 at 6:00 PM

CARTHAGE, Mo.

Departing council members have a few pieces of unfinished business at Tuesday’s Carthage City Council meeting before turning the reins over to members elected on April 3.

The first meeting after the April elections is traditionally divided into two sessions. The first is where the departing council members vote on the old business facing the council.

Council then adjourns and office-holders who were elected on April 3 will be sworn in and take their seats.

Departing council members are Ward 4’s John Cooper and Ward 5’s Brent Greninger.

Those who will be taking the oath of office will be incumbent Kirby Newport in Ward 1; Donald Mclaughlin, who will take the oath for the two year seat, and Lawrence Chapin, who will take the oath for a one-year term in Ward 2; incumbent John Studebaker in Ward 3; Lee Carlson in Ward 4 and Jason Shelfer in Ward 5.

Old business

Before the newcomers take over, council has to decide three issues.

The first two amend the city code when it comes to keeping chickens and other poultry in the city limits.

These two bills close a loophole that could have allowed someone to let chickens and other poultry run loose in the city as long as no one complained.

They require chickens and other poultry be kept in an enclosure 250 feet from the nearest building.

The old council will also take the final vote on whether to sell the former Carthage Water & Electric headquarters, at 149 E. Third St., to Alpha Capital LLC for $126,500.

New business

The new council members will take their oath of office and vote on a resolution noting the city’s appreciation for service by outgoing council members Brent Greninger and John Cooper.

Plaques will be presented to Cooper and Greninger and the new council will vote on Mayor Mike Harris’ committee and board appointment for the new council members.

The new council will hear on first reading an ordinance allowing the mayor to join other communities and entities forming a Joint Municipal Water Utility in Southwest Missouri.

It will also vote on a resolution creating an “adopt-a-park” program in Carthage to allow groups, organizations and individuals to adopt a park, and be recognized for helping the city maintain that park.